Project Description

Our project occurs at the intersection of two new undergraduate initiatives at the University of Alabama at Birmingham: freshman learning communities (FLC) and enhanced instruction in ethics and civic responsibility. Three FLCs focusing on issues of race and ethics especially relevant to the history and mission of UAB have been developed and were first offered in fall 2007.

In “Contemporary Moral and Social Issues," students explore ethical and social issues related to ethnicity that arise in scientific research. Biomedical science in particular presents complex, potentially divisive situations. Research sometimes focuses on minority communities that have a history of being used in medical research in ways that raise serious ethical questions. Genetic studies in defined communities have the potential to reinforce ethnic stereotypes by privileging biological explanations for problems that are linked to social inequities. Students focus on understanding competing traditions and arguments on the ethical, legal and social-religious issues concerning the place of biology in human identity, a subject of intense relevance at an institution with an internationally known health research center and multiple health-related majors.

Educational modules--backgound reading, content outlines, and video material for discussion--with parallel content have been developed for use in upper-level courses and are available for public use.

In addition, two free public events on the subjects of the FLCs championed the idea that respectful dissent and dialogue are necessary components of critical thinking, rational decision-making, and the educational process: